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| TPWD News Release 20110525b |
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[ General Media Contact: Business Hours, 512-389-4406 ]
[ Additional Contacts: Rob McCorkle, TPWD, (830) 866-3533 or robert.mccorkle@tpwd.texas.gov; Rocky Holland, Possum Kingdom SP, (940) 549-1803 or Rocky.Holland@tpwd.texas.gov ]
May 25, 2011
Post-Wildfire Possum Kingdom State Park Reopening
CADDO - Possum Kingdom State Park, blackened but not bowed by April wildfires, reopened today just in time for the traditionally busy Memorial Day weekend.
The park's cabins and 10 primitive campsites are still off limits, but the other camping areas will be open, according to Rocky Holland, park superintendent. He says replacement of the two of three burned sewer field liners is still not complete, so the park's wastewater system remains shut down, but should be operable soon. That means bathrooms and shower facilities, as well as the trailer dump station, will not be available.
Portable toilets have been brought into the park in the interim. Visitors are reminded to bring their own drinking water due to the high salt content of the water supply. Due to reduced park operations, all park fees are being discounted through May 31.
Possum Kingdom State Park sustained wildfire damage to approximately 90 percent of the park, but dozens of firefighters kept the flames from scorching the campgrounds and saved the other structures inside the park. Only the linen building and Cabin 2 suffered sustained slight damage from the wildfires that ravaged more than 100,000 acres and burned more than 100 homes in the Possum Kingdom Lake area before being contained.
Much of the park's blackened terrain already is showing signs of recovery, thanks to recent rains, and is expected to continue to green up over the coming months. The three camping areas, as well as the lakeside camping, swimming beach and picnic area, sustained no fire damage. The park store and marina are open for business.
Possum Kingdom State Park covers 1,528 acres in Palo Pinto County, 17 miles north of Caddo.
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